The brand new version, packed with a host of innovative features and updates, inherits many of iOS features and presents them to the Mac users. While there are key features introduced for sharing and social connectivity, improved messaging, Safari revamp, the iCloud integration and syncing enables a similar experience across all devices.

Here are some of the key features of the Mac OSX 10.8:

iCloud sync:

Mountain Lion is the first major operating system released since the iCloud and it has several new cloud features integrated into many of the apps. With an Apple id, you can sync all settings and apps including e-mail, contacts, calendars, Facebook and Twitter accounts. The iCloud thus lets users sync data across all Apple products like iPhone, iPad and Macs simply!

iOS integration:

This OS version inherits many features from the iOS, Apple’s mobile platform thereby seamlessly bridging the gap between a handheld device and desktops.

Safari – new & improved:

The new Safari boasts of a Smart Search Field, which makes the address bar serve as a place not just to enter addresses but also search the Web similar to Google Chrome and Firefox browsers. When one enters a search term, Safari displays Top Hits below the field based on the users browsing history. A Tab view enables ‘finger swipe’ to run thru’ open browser windows with the track pad enhancement. The iCloud Tab enables Safari to view open tabs in other synced up devices and carry on work without missing a beat across devices. Safari, Apple claims, is faster than IE9, Firefox 13 and Google Chrome 20 but we are yet to validate the same.

AirPlay Mirroring:

This is one more cool iOS feature which is replicated on the Mountain Lion. One can wirelessly mirror anything from the desktop including apps, HD movies, supported games, slideshows on to larger screens. One can share the desktop screen with any large monitor, screens, TVs or others. This feature supports 720p HD video mirroring.

Notification Center:

Notification Center, helps sync up all notifications across devices at a single place with banners and alerts appearing on the upper right corner of the screen. It enables quick and easy access to programs such as Calendar, Messages, Mail, Reminders and others.

Social connectivity:

With Mountain Lion, sharing what you’re looking at with people on popular social networks is easier and improved than the earlier versions.

Apart from the above, there are a lot of other features which include improved Message app which lets you chat with Mac users and folks with iOS devices, a Game Center which gives you gaming info about what your friends who are playing and offers recommendations for new games based on what you already have, Reminder App which keeps all your reminders in one place and syncs up with your iOS devices so you can manage important alerts from anywhere, Notes wherein you’ll have all your quick notes and information synced between all your devices.  Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion roars with about 200 odd brand new features, but Apple seems to be focused on making information availability everywhere across your i-devices, rather than providing striking and dramatic interface / look-and-feel enhancements. For a $19.99 upgrade for Mac users (other than Mac Air or Mac Pro users who get it free), it’s a pretty cool deal — no wonder there are already about 3 million downloads in the first four days of availability!

prashant.vadgaonkar@hotmail.com